A group has been hunting stray dogs in Rangamati, claiming the animals are being captured for meat despite clear legal prohibitions.
On Saturday morning in Langadu Upazila, at least five men were seen trapping several dogs in specially made bamboo snares and dragging them away in a brutal manner.
At least 20 dogs caught from Baitta Para and nearby areas were later loaded onto a motorised boat tied at a ghat near the Forest Department office in Maini.
Those involved in the incident identified themselves as members of the Pangkhua community.
One of the hunters said they had travelled from Barkal Upazila and had captured the dogs to slaughter and eat them.
He explained that the animals would be transported through Kattali Beel in Kaptai Lake to the Pangkhua village of Alamba in Barkal.
A Rangamati resident and member of the Pangkhua community, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the individuals seen were from the community.
He suggested they may have acted without full awareness of the law.
The administration has warned them not to repeat such actions, he said, adding that if it happens again, legal consequences will follow.
Under the Animal Welfare Act 2019, hunting or killing ownerless dogs or any other animal is a punishable offence.
Rakibul Haq Emil, founder of the Dhaka-based voluntary organisation People for Animal Welfare Foundation, said Section 7 of the 2019 law makes it a criminal offence to kill or remove stray dogs.
He warned that dogs can carry rabies and other diseases, and consuming their meat poses risks to human health.
The law was introduced largely to support the implementation of the national rabies elimination programme, he said. "If vaccinated dogs are removed from an area, it creates a gap, allowing unvaccinated animals from elsewhere to enter, potentially bringing rabies into the locality."
"The legislation aims to prevent authorities or individuals from indiscriminately removing dogs", he added.
Emil also noted that eating dog meat remains a longstanding practice within a specific community and has not yet stopped.
Indiscriminate consumption of dog meat is not only harmful to the environment but also a public health risk, he said, urging awareness efforts to change such dietary habits.
Langadu Upazila administator (UNO) Jahangir Hossain said the matter came to the attention of the local administration after reports of stray dogs being captured.
"Law-enforcing agencies have been directed to take all necessary action, and steps have been put in place to prevent such incidents in the future. Local representatives, police, and other officials have been urged to stay alert," he added.
"bdnews24
